dubai-shoofenews - In an effort to encourage more visitors from the UAE and Gulf Countries to visit the Kansai Region of Japan, the five tourism boards from the Japanese prefectures (districts) of Osaka, Mie, Nara, Wakayama and the city of Kobe will jointly conduct a series of travel agent workshops and travel industry leader events as part of a first time mission to Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah. The 15 member strong delegation of prefectural tourism officials and Kansai Airport officials, will visit the UAE from September 11th – 14th, 2017, to promote the long history, unique traditional and urban cultures, as well as the exciting shopping opportunities and attractions of the Kansai region as a must-see tourist destination for UAE and Gulf Country residents.

The mission coincides with a recent visa waiver arrangement for UAE nationals which commenced in July 2017, making it even easier for UAE nationals to enter Japan. Additionally, special promotional travel packages offering the very best of Kansai, along with a dedicated travel informational brochure in both English and Arabic, have been made in collaboration with Emirates Holidays, and will also be launched during the mission.   

Kansai region is located in western Japan, and was the center for Japanese culture, government, religion and history for more than 1,000 years. Co-existing with beautiful nature, Kansai is the heartland of Japan, where visitors can find the origins of Japanese culture and spirituality, not only through the 5 UNESCO World Heritage Sites located in the region, but also in the traditional crafts, gastronomy and people themselves.

From the large commercial and modern entertainment city of Osaka, to the port city of Kobe with its exotic foreign influences, to the ancient capitals of Nara and Kyoto, to the spiritual heartlands of Wakayama and Mie, Kansai is where uniquely different local cultures compactly exist within the one region, making Kansai the best destination for travellers to experience the true essence of both traditional and modern Japan.

With daily direct flights with Emirates from Dubai to Kansai / Osaka International Airport, Kansai is not only easily accessible, but open and welcoming to all international guests from all backgrounds. To make Muslim and Middle Eastern guests as welcome and comfortable as possible, many hotels, hospitality and restaurant partners throughout Kansai have made extensive efforts to learn the cultural and religious needs of Muslim guests, including making available various services and offerings that are Halal or Muslim-friendly.

Mr. Yoichi Minami, Strategic Project Office of Osaka Prefectural Government says, “The Kansai region has a long running connection with the UAE. Osaka City is a sister city of Dubai, and the Emirates direct flight to Kansai has been a great and valued partner in bringing the peoples of our two regions closer together. Through this mission we hope to make Kansai even more accessible and inviting to travellers from the UAE and Gulf Countries, especially for those seeking meaningful holiday experiences that highlight unique cultures and traditions, breath-taking natural and manmade landscapes, exquisite local cuisine, and ‘omotenashi’ authentic Japanese hospitality. We are confident that all who visit Kansai leave inspired, rejuvenated, enlivened and enchanted. That’s what Kansai offers.”     

As a centre for Japanese traditional arts, crafts, and design, Kansai is also a shopper’s delight, offering many unique fashions, accessories, and finely crafted items in both traditional and modern forms that can’t be found anywhere else. Many Kansai retailers, including department stores, also offer foreign visitors tax free shopping, whereby the tax is removed at the point of purchase, making for great savings.  

To find out more about Kansai, Japan and the special Kansai travel packages, contact your local travel agency or Emirates Holidays.